Universal spinning frame



Jan. 6, 1953 w. F. BIRD EI'AL 2,624,075

UNIVERSAL SPINNING FRAME Filed Feb. 4. 1947 WHITWORTH F. BIRD PHILIP T.BODELL 74 INVENTORS as I I ATTORN EY siderable time, money,

Patented Jan. 6, .1953

2,624,075 UNIVERSAL SPINNING FRAME Whitworth F. Bird, Swarthmore, Pa.,and Philip T. Bodell, Lynbrook, N. Y., assignors to Collins & AikmanCorporation, corporation of Delaware Philadelphia, Pa., a

Application February 4, 1947, Serial No. 726,416

1 Claim.

This invention relates to a novel drafting device such as a finalspinning frame for use in the preparation of an exceptionally largevariety of textile yarn, strands, or threads, which are simultaneouslytwisted and wound on bobbins after drafting in the usual manner.

More particularly, the invention is directed to a draft frame havingsubstantially universal application insofar as fiber length isconcerned. By simple adjustment. it may be used for the final spinningdraft of fiber stocks such as cotton, having maximum fiber lengths ofapproximately A," to 1%", or fiber stocks containing wool, mohair, orother fibers of lengths commonly processed on worsted type machinery.

Fiber drafting is essentially a problem of reducing a strand or strandswithout damage to the fibers and under controlled conditions whichinsure the production of commercially uniform yarns. The textileindustry has devoted conand effort to this problem, and the patent andother literature reporting its findings is voluminous.

As a result of these prior efforts, standard and modern draftingmachines such as spinning frames are built for a limited range of fiberlengths. These several type machines are often identified according totheir usual use such as cotton frames and worsted frames. Theconventional worsted frames are not used for drafting cotton and similarshort fibers because of im-E' proper and insufficient fiber control, anda cotton frame cannot draft long fibers of wool, mohair, and otherfibers conventionally drafted on a typical worsted frame.

' According to the present improvements, there 1 is provided a universalspinning frame capable of producing yarns which are in every waycomparable with yarns spun on any of the several type frames currentlyused in the processing of yarn. The result is that the presentrequirements for a number of specialized frames to process differenttype yarns may be dispensed with, the flexibility of operations greatlyincreased, and with a considerable reduction in invested capital forplant and equipment.

These results are obtained in a preferred embodiment of our invention byproviding a single apron type drafting frame and arranging therein aseries of positively driven and individually adjustable rolls in contactwith the apron in such a way that any one of them may constitute a backroll of a draft stage. A top roll with an independent weighting means isadjustably mounted over the selected driven roll so that both rollscontact the apron on opposite sides.

The driven rolls have a dual function in that they may be set in anydesired position with the adjustable top roll and in that those drivenrolls not being used to determine the proper ratch setting will or maybe used as carrier rolls for fiber control and at any desired selectedposition. They can be moved to perform either function in the mosteffective manner for the particular stock being run.

An object of our invention is to provide a final spinning frame forreducing different rovings of considerable maximum fiber lengthvariation.

Another object is to provide a fiber drafting device in which eithershort fibers or long fibers may be processed by resort to simpleadjustment.

Another object is to provide a single apron type spinning frame in whicha relatively short tension apron may be used for the processing ofeither short or long textile fibers.

Another object is to provide a drafting mechanism such as may be used inthe final spinning process in which an unusually long ratch settingadjustment may be provided, and wherein rolls have the alternatefunctions of being draft stage rollers or carrier rollers which areadjustable relatively to a selected draft stage roll.

Another object is to provide a gear type drive which is readilyadjustable for the entire range of draft settings provided by theimproved frame.

These and other objects of invention will be manifest from aconsideration of the following description, claim and drawings, inwhich:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of a preferredembodiment of the spinning frame.

Fig. 2 is a partly exploded isometric detail assembly view of the geardrive, driven rollers, and a portion of the weighting mechanism of Fig.1.

Fig. 3 is a detail of the plate for the change gear train shown in 2.

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view of a modification of the improved frame inwhich a short apron is nip driven by two rollers positioned below thepath of stock travel.

Referring to the drawings, ill on which is mounted a front driven rollerII. A top pressure roller i2 is spring pressed against the roller I l bymeans of spring l3 pressing on slidable saddle [4. The hook member [5 onwhich the saddle slides is threaded as at Hi to receive cap IT by whichpressure is applied through the spring to the saddle M. A retainingbracket I8 is the anchoring means for the hook member l5. Clearer rollsl9 and 20 cooperate with rolls II and I2 respectively. A

Fig. 1 shows a frame and back driven rollers 25, 26,

weight 2| pivoted at 22 presses the clearer roll l9 against roll l|.When the roller I2 is adjustably fixed against movement longitudinallyof the frame, pressure may be applied as desired.

Rearwardly of the front rolls is mounted a removable nose bar 23, a likebar 24, and driven rolls 25, 26, and 21. The driven roller 21 may befixedly mounted or adjustable. The ro1ls25.

and 26 are individually adjustable with reference to the rolls II and21. The apron 28 is looped about the nose bar 23 and passed over bar 24,the driven rollers 25, 26, and 21 and the tensioning roll 29 which ispivoted to the frame tions. A wide idler gear 85 positioned below thepath of travel of the stock is driven by gear 84 and it in turn drivesgear 86 which is offset from gear 84 as shown. The gear 85 is mounted onan eccentric stud 81 which, together with slotted bracket 88, permitsboth horizontal and vertical adjustment of gear 85 so that it may alwaysbe positioned in engagement with both gears 84 and 86 in any of theiradjusted positions. The stud 81 is shown in exploded rather than actualrelationship to bracket 88.

The journal blocks 9|), 9|, and 92 are constructed so that closeadjustment up to approxi- ID by means of member 30 loose on stud 3|. As

more fully explained, it is frequently unnecessary that the apron passover all the back driven rolls 25, 26 and 21. V

The nose bar 23, bar 24, and rollers 25, 26 and 21 are suitably weightedby control rollers 32, 33, 34, 35, and top pressure roll 36. Verticallygrooved journal blocks of known type 31, 38, 39 and 49 and another notshown are mounted for adjustment along arm 42 which is pivoted at 43 onframe I8, and secured into position forwardly in any convenient manner.As will be understood, the grooves in these journals are to facilitatechange or removal of weight control rollers and to permit them to ridethe stock. The use of vertically grooved journal blocks per 'se iscommon practice. The journal blocks of the weighting controlrollers ofthe illustrated embodiments permit the same close adjustment as providedfor the series of driven rolls 25, 26, and 21. A fiber condenser orguide 44 is fixed relatively to the support for the back driven roll 21.

Adjustable journal blocks (not shown) similar to 40 positions toppressure roller 85 for efiective action within the entire ratch area.Pressure is applied by means of spring 46, saddle 41, hook 48, cap 49,notched bracket 58, member and pad 52. The member 5| extends laterallyon both sides of the point of pressure to substantially cover the drivenrollers of two or more drafting units in the frame. The notched bracket50 is positioned on fixed members 53, 54 and runs longitudinally of theframe between two drafting units. The front roll II and 21 are driven bya gear drive (Fig. 2). The parts are shown somewhat exploded and withcertain parts removed to facilitate description and understanding of thefunction of the frame and drive.

The front roll I is connected to a source of power. A gear 58 andpivotable bracket 59 are mounted on the shaft 66 for roll I I. Thebracket is pivotable on the roll [I to provide for the use of changegears to vary the draft or to vary the ratch for dilferent stock runs.Gear 58 engages gear 60 and through gears 6|, 62, 63, and 64 of a geartrain drives gear 65 on the shaft of back roll 21. The bracket 59 isperforated at 68 and 69 to receive the gear shafts and 12. Theperforation 61 receives bottom roll shaft 66 about which bracket 59pivots when adjusted. Slots 13 and 14 provide for adjustment of thebracket and shaft 1| A second gear on the shaft of back roll 21 is thestart or driving gear for a second train of gears which drive theintermediate individually adjustable rolls 25, 29. As will be seen, abracket 80 is slotted as at 8| for pivotal and adjustable cooperationwith arm 82, on which is mounted idler gear 83. Gear 83 engages gear 84on the shaft of roller 26 in any of its adjusted posi- .mate contact ofthe driven back and intermediate rolls is provided. The dimensions ofthe journal blocks permitting this close adjustment will bereferred tohereinafter as their width. This close adjustment of rolls enablesaccurate positioning of control rollers and permits the two intermediaterollers to form an apron driving nip for short aprons." Slotted supports93 and 94 are removably'secured, and engage the bar 24 and/or 23.Bracket 95 limits the forward movement of the slotted supports.

Fig. 4 shows a modification in which a pressure nip for a short apron isformed. In this modification it is shown that the direction of rotationof an intermediate roller'(outside the apron) 'may be changed as by theuse of two idler gears between it and the back roll, also that gears onthe two intermediate roller shafts will drive the roller looped by theapron in the proper direction. A separate drive for'the apronlooped'roller may of course'be used in which case the outside roller maybe positively driven at the same speed or frictionally rotated throughthe apron. When a separate drive is used the speed of the intermediaterollers need not be the same as the speed of the back roll 21'.

In Fig. 4, nose bar 23 and driven roller 25' determine the length of theapron stock support and the front rolls H and I2 and roll 21' determinethe length of ratch. Tensioning roll 29' being yieldably mounted permitsadjustment of apron 28. Idler gears H10 and I 0| driven from a gear onthe shaft of back roll 21' reverse the direction of roll '26". Rolls 25'and 26' form'a driving nip for the apron 28. Weight rollers 32', 33, 34and top pressure roll 36 are similar to those described in the otherembodiments.

While the present invention contemplates the processing of long wool ormohair up to approximately 12", the great bulk of processed fibers areof shorter length. A spinning frame, according to this invention, witha. ratch length from about 1 inch up to 8 to 9 inches will provide allthe versatility desired by most producers, and the smaller frame isaccordingly preferred in such cases. Likewise, cotton fibers whenproperly weighted may be spun with approximately a 3" ratch, and hencethere is no practical reason for building the frame for long wool andshort cotton fibers with a ratch'range' outside these limits. A shorterratch may be desirable for a few special runs and a shorter ratch iscontemplated as within the scope of the present improvements. To thisend it will be noted that the bar 24 is removably positioned in slottedsupport 93 and that the support 93 may be removed bodily. Similarly, theweight roller journal blocks may slide off the end of their guide 42when such special runs are to be made. As indicated above, ordinarilythis removal of parts need not be ,resorted to. H Y, 7

It may also be noted that the dimensions of and weights depending onstock requirements.

While the present improvements have been described in preferredembodiments, they are not limited thereto. The driven rollers may besmooth or rough, or the intermediate driven roller when used as anoutside nip roller may be smooth and the other driven back rollersknurled or otherwise roughened.

Having described our invention according to preferred embodiments, andwishing to claim all the inventive features thereof, we claim:

In a single apron type drafting frame for strands of textile fibers, afront drawing ofi means comprising a driven front roll and associatedtop roll forming a nip for fibrous strands, fiber control meanspositioned rearwardly of said drawing off means and comprising an apronsupport mounted close behind said nip, a plurality of driven rollscomprising a rearward driven roll located rearwardly of said apronsupport and a plurality of driven rolls intermediate said rearward rolland said apron support, said rearward roll and said intermediate rollsbeing individually adjustable toward and away from said apron support,and toward and away from each other, an apron looped about the apronsupport and said rearward driven roll, means including a rear toppressure roll located exterior of the apron loop forming a nip with therearward driven roll, additional fiber control means including arotatable, non-ratch forming, slip draft roll superposed to the apronrearwardly of said apron support and 4 forwardly of said rear toppressure roll for contacting and controlling fibers of strands beingdrafted without excessive loading of the apron, means for guiding saidrear top pressure roll, weighting means having a port-ion extendinglengthwise of the frame so that pressure may be applied to said rear toppressure roll for a ratch forming position of less than three inches toa ratch forming position in excess of five inches, means for drivingsaid driven rolls in any of their adjusted positions, separate weightingmeans for said front top pressure roll and said rear top pressure rolland means for adjusting the position of said rear weighting meansindependently of said front weighting means, said adjusting meansincluding a notched bracket extending lengthwise of the frame andpositioned below the center lines of the driven rolls and a hook elementin operative engagement with said notched bracket and with said rearpressure roll weighting means.

WHITWORTH F. BIRD. PHILIP T. BODELL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,649,322 Perutz Nov. 15, 19271,783,301 Morton Dec. 2, 1930 1,804,968 Blake May 12, 1931 1,827,385Cornibert Oct. 13, 1931 1,942,329 Gegauff Jan. 2, 1934 2,177,929 LambertOct. 31, 1939 2,271,191 Gossett et a1 Jan. 27, 1942 2,357,982 Thomas etal. Sept. 12, 1944 2,426,425 Zalkind Aug. 26, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTSNumber Country Date 9,692 Great Britain of 1915

